Free the 'work beasts'

12:32 AM,
Apr. 27, 2013

Froma Harrop

Written by

Froma Harrop

We who work through colds, bad backs and low moods - however liberal we might be - have permission to resent those who could hold a job but don't, preferring to collect disability checks unto the decades. You see them at the coffee shop, refilling their cups in leisure, or even pumping iron at the gym.

And there are more of them all the time. Over 5 percent of eligible American adults are now receiving disability payments from Social Security. Twenty years ago, it was 3 percent. One reason is easier requirements giving more weight to self-made diagnoses of back pain or mental anguish.